2012-23-03: Tail Rotor Drive System

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2012-23-03 Eurocopter France Helicopters: Amendment 39-17259; Docket No. FAA-2012-0339; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-051-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies to Model SA.315B Alouette III, SE.3160 Alouette III, SA.316B Alouette III, SA.316C Alouette III, SA.319B Alouette III, SA 3180-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU, SA 318B-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU, and SA 318 C-ALOUETTE ASTAZOU helicopters with a free-wheel cage, part number (P/N) 3130S60-10-003 installed, certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition This AD defines the unsafe condition as incorrect positioning of the roller drive pocket recesses on the cage of the tail-rotor driveshaft free-wheel assembly. This condition could result in loss of tail rotor drive and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. (c) Effective Date This AD becomes effective December 31, 2012. (d) Compliance You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time. (e) Required Actions Within 110 hours time-in-service: (1) Remove the free-wheel assembly and pull out the free-wheel driven head. (2) Inspect the free-wheel cage for correct alignment of the roller drive pocket recesses in accordance with Figure 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. SA315-65.48, Revision 0, or Eurocopter ASB No. ALOUETTE-65.149, Revision 0, both dated March 23, 2011, as appropriate for your model helicopter. (3) If the right edge of the tab is in line with the right edge of the pocket recess, before further flight, replace the free-wheel cage with an airworthy free-wheel cage. (4) Do not install an affected free-wheel assembly on any helicopter, unless the cage has passed inspection in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) through (e)(3) of this AD. (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Rao Edupuganti, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas [[Page 70362]] 76137, telephone (817) 222-5110, email rao.edupuganti@faa.gov. (2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office, before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC. (g) Additional Information The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2011-0143, dated July 26, 2011. (h) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6700: Tail Rotor Drive System. (i) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. SA315-65.48, Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011. (ii) Eurocopter ASB No. ALOUETTE-65-149, Revision 0, dated March 23, 2011. (3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD, contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, telephone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3775, or at http://www.eurocopter.com/techpub. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. (5) You may also view this service information at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.